It is a matter of absolute shame

Chandigarh// December 5, 2011//Bureau Report: 

The disgraceful incident of Akali Sarpanch manhandling a lady teacher, epitomizes all that is wrong with Shiromani Akali Dal. It shows, party’s arrogance, insensitivity, brutality, rudeness and cowardice. It is a matter of absolute shame that the Akali Dal representative slapped someone who deserved respect on three counts i.e. she was a citizen, a woman and a teacher!.
Worst, it happened in front of the police force and other employees of the government who stood by doing nothing. Even after many hours of the incident, the government did not take any action. The fact, that the Sarpanch had the impudence to file a police complaint against the teacher and the government has not taken any action against him, shows that there is no remorse on either side.

The so called anger of the manhandler is beyond comprehension. The lady teacher was merely expressing her anger against patently unjust policies of the government. As a citizen she is entitled to do that. In fact, citizens inability to reach the government and express their grievances leads to such situations, where they are left with no options but with a slim hope that of conveying their demands when they meet their reprsentatives during the latter’s public appearances. But there too, the so called leaders are surrounded by a battery of police personnel who ruthless push and shove everyone away.

The PPP strongly condemns the incident and calls for strictest possible action against the sarpanch and the police officials on duty who kept on watching the whole incident without intervening even when the lady was being brutally thrashed. What is also staggering is the silence of Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The incident happened in her public appearance and as a woman, a Member Parliament and as a member of the ruling family of the state, she should have empathized with the gross injustice and inhumanity involved in this incident. Instead of taking prompt, stern and exemplary action, she has chosen to observe perfect silence.

A government and leaders, who cannot show respect and dignity to its citizens, has no right to represent its people.

Patriotic color in Sanjha Morcha's welfare schemes

Shaheed Bhagat Singh rozgar yojna
Neta Ji Subhash Chander Bose health insurance 
Manpreet Singh Badal promised many benefits

File photo:The Spis News

So as to ameliorate the living conditions of those inflicted with life threatening diseases like diabetes and cancer, Manpreet Singh Badal, President of People's Party of Punjab (PPP) today promised to offer an insurance of three lakh rupees.
Addressing a rally at Ropar on Sunday, the PPP President said that if voted to power, the PPP will offer insurance of upto three lakh rupees for those belonging to ecnomically weaker section, suffering from such dreaded diseases. Manpreet said that it's government will spend 200 crores on this project which will be termed as "Netaji Subhash Chander Bose" health insurance scheme.

Manpreet added that certain belts of Punjab, especially Malwa area has Punjabis suffering from water borne diseases including cancer. As a fallout of contaminated water, people living in this area are suffering from cancer and other life threatening diseases.

Manpreet said that the PPP will not only offer insurance upto three lakhs but also ensure that the menace of contaminated water is removed from Punjab. This is not the first scheme that Manpreet has promised to make available for those belonging to economically challenged sections.

Manpreet in the recent past had promised to offer one lakh jobs for youths each year under the Shaheed Bhagat Singh rozgar yojna. Also, he had promised that PPP will get a fixed deposit of Rs 5,000 in the name of a newly born girl child in Punjab. The fixed deposit will be made available after twenty years.

Manpreet SIngh Badal said that if Punjab has to rise, the people living in the Punjab and those who remain deprived from basic amenities owing to financial constraints need to be empowered and made self dependent.

He said that not only jobs will be made availabe to youths but also PPP's endeavour will be to make the public independent by providing small business opportunities for Punjabis.

He added that PPP will also guarantee that the Police force serves the public and is not reduced to a political tool.

The completion expected in June 2013

Arlington National Cemetery Breaks Ground for Columbarium By J.D. Leipold Army News Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2011 - Arlington National Cemetery began its first major construction project in nearly eight years today with a ground-breaking ceremony for a 20,000-niche columbarium that will extend the life of the cemetery's inurnment space to 2024. Officials break ground for a new 20,000-niche columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Nov. 30, 2011. The columbarium, scheduled for completion in June 2013, will extend the life of the cemetery's inurnment space to 2024. U.S. Army photo by J.D. Leipold  A columbarium is a structure that holds urns containing cremated remains.Construction on the cemetery's ninth columbarium begins in January, with completion expected in June 2013, said Army Col. Victoria Bruzese, the cemetery's chief engineer. The new structure will dwarf the previous eight columbariums, she added, the largest of which contains 8,000 niches and the smallest 3,000. "This will be 540 feet long, 116 feet wide, and at its highest elevation about 11 feet tall," Bruzese said following the ground-breaking. "We'll have more than 20,000 niches, which gives us the ability to have three to four inurnments within each niche -- service member, spouse, children -- so we're looking at more than 60,000 inurnments, so that's significant." The new columbarium will be almost the length of two football fields. Kathryn Condon, executive director of the Army National Cemeteries Program, told the audience of mostly cemetery grounds-keepers and staff workers that construction of the new columbarium would "extend the life of our inurnment space out to 2024." Officials also plan to expand the cemetery's grounds on two sides by another 70 acres. That will further extend the cemetery's ability to handle inurnments, burials and possibly mausoleums out to the 2050s, Bruzese said. She noted the biggest challenge to overcome will be the lack of attention paid to the infrastructure over the years. "There are two expansion opportunities here on the horizon -- our Millennium Project, which is a 30-acre combination of land we acquired from Fort Myer and the National Park Service, and already existing [cemetery] land that will increase our in-ground and niche burial capability," Bruzese said. The second expansion includes a 40-acre plot that's now occupied by the Navy Annex on the cemetery's south side. Bruzese said she requested the chief engineer position at the cemetery following a deployment to Afghanistan. One reason she cited was that her father and her grandfather are inurned there. "But when I heard about the challenges going on here, I wanted to be part of the solution," she said. "I think that's what you'll find with anybody who's on the staff here. ... They want to be part of the solution in returning the dignity and honor not only to the cemetery, but [also] to the veterans who lie here." �

Related Sites: Arlington National Cemetery

Biden Trip Marks New Alliance with Iraq

By Cheryl Pellerin American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2011 - Troops may be leaving Iraq by year's end, but meetings yesterday between Vice President Joe Biden and Iraqi leaders promise continuing civilian engagement between the two sovereign nations, a senior administration official said in Baghdad. Vice President Joe Biden talks with troops after a ceremony at Victory Base Complex, Iraq, Dec. 1, 2011. The ceremony commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of U.S. and Iraqi service members. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo  After co-chairing a meeting of the U.S.-Iraq Higher Coordinating Committee with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Biden held separate meetings with Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi."They covered a broad array of issues in these meetings, including the transition to a civilian lead in Iraq for the United States [and] the security relationship going forward," the official told journalists traveling with the vice president. "They talked about the resolution of some of Iraq's remaining international issues," he added, including obligations under Chapter 7 of the Charter of the United Nations placed on Iraq after its 1990 invasion of and war with Kuwait, and its current relationship with Kuwait. Biden and the Iraqi leaders, the official said, also discussed regional issues, including those involving Syria, Turkey and Iran. On the topic of Iran, the vice president "made clear something that we've made clear repeatedly, which is, one, we fully expect Iraq to have a relationship with Iran," the official said. "There's a long border and a long history [between the countries]," the official added, "and that is fully understood. But what is not acceptable and not understood would be to in any way allow Iran to use our presence in Iraq as a target." The United States has committed in the past not to use Iraq as a staging ground to act against other countries, he said, and that includes Iran. "Reciprocally," he added, "it is fully our expectation that the government of Iraq not allow Iraq to be used as an area to target U.S. personnel." Biden and the Iraqi leaders also discussed Arab-Kurd relations, internal security -- especially the need to keep pressure on violent extremist groups -- and Maliki's visit in Washington with President Barack Obama later this month. "All of this is very powerful evidence that the United States is not disengaging from Iraq," the official said. "Rather, the nature of our engagement is changing from what has been a military lead to a civilian lead." The United States has "moved, as the vice president put it, from the security agreement that governed our military operations in Iraq to the strategic framework agreement, which is the basis for this comprehensive new relationship." As is the case at other embassies around the world, the official added, an Office of Security Cooperation has been established in Iraq to help Iraqis acquire and then learn how to use military equipment they buy from the United States. In Iraq, that office will include 157 people assigned to the U.S. embassy and under the authority of the ambassador, he said, and some who might come in on individual contracts for two or three months at a time to help the Iraqis train on U.S. equipment. "What we're talking about going forward as possibilities of training beyond the Office of Security Cooperation includes things like ... doing ongoing training of Iraqis outside of Iraq in other countries [and] integrating Iraqis into regional exercises," the official added. Today at Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory, Iraq, Biden spoke at an event hosted by the Iraqi government and held to honor the sacrifices of U.S. and Iraqi forces. "History will record that the liberation of our country was not only an important turning point in Iraq, but it was an important beginning for the region," Talibani said, referring to events of the Arab Spring. Maliki thanked former President George W. Bush for signing the U.S.-Iraq status of forces agreement, which established the parameters for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq. He also thanked Obama for seeing the agreement through. "Because of you and the work those of you here have done, we are now able to end this war," Biden said, adding that the Iraqi people have not and will not yield again to any kind of external domination. Biden was presented with a medal called a "shield of commitment," as were Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general of U.S. Forces Iraq, Jeffrey D. Feltman, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, and ambassadors from other countries who fielded coalition forces. After the ceremony, Biden met privately with troops for photos before traveling to Erbil in northern Iraq, 50 miles east of Mosul. There Biden met with Kurdish Regional Government President Masoud Barzani at the official's ceremonial residence before boarding his aircraft for Ankara, Turkey, the first stop on a four-day trip to Turkey and Greece.

Related Sites: U.S. Forces Iraq Photo Essay: Biden Attends Iraq's Day of Commitment Ceremony Related Articles: Joint Statement Affirms Strong U.S.-Iraq Partnership

Left rally and demonstration against FDI

Rally also condemned Pb Govt’s welcome to the FDI

Ludhiana//Kalyani Singh and Rector Kathuria// December 1, 2011

The district unit of Communist Party of India (CPI)  and CPI (M) held a rally at the Railway Station Ludhiana followed by demonstration to the Clock Tower Chowk to protest against the decision of the union cabinet to allow 51% FDI in retail as it is going to hit hard the small producer, trader as well as the consumer. This has been done at a time when the Parliament is in session and this decision has been taken without taking the Parliament into confidence. This is in complete violation of democratic principles. The reaction is obvious as not only the opposition or the UPA allies but a section of the congressmen have also opposed the decision. Various speakers addressing the rally warned that as per the latest reports the GDP  growth rate has further gone down belying all the claims of economic growth by the government; and rupee is continuously falling to its lowest ever. The decision to allow FDI in multi brand retail sector will further jeopardize the economy of our country. The speakers also condemned the Punjab Government’s welcome to the FDI when most of the states have opposed it. The international experience has shown that with the entry of these big players in the retail business the small businessman is hit hard as it is unable to compete with the big fish. Their sales have gone down in all such areas around the globe. In India 33-60% of the traditional fruit and vegetable retailers reported 15-30% decline in footfalls, 10-30% decline in sales and 20-30% decline in incomes across the cities of Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh, the largest impact being in Bangalore, which is one of the most supermarket penetrated cities in India.

There is also loss of jobs. The experience in Vietnam has shown that the supermarket expansion also leads to employment loss in the value chain as compared to 18 jobs created by a street vendor, 10 by a traditional retailer and eight by a shop vendor in Vietnam, a supermarket like Big C needed just four persons for the same volume of produce handled.

The small farmers will be hit  as supermarkets will buy only ‘A ‘grade produce, that too on open market-based prices, and only a part of the output of farmers, who end up going to an APMC mandi to dispose of the remaining/rejected produce. Moreover there will be no commitment to buy regularly as they do not want to share the risk of growers. What is the guarantee that they will buy from the farmer at prices higher than they are being offered to them now?

So far as the role of FDI-driven food supermarkets in containing food inflation is concerned, the evidence from Latin American (Mexico, Nicaragua, Argentina), African (Kenya, Madagascar) and Asian countries (Thailand, Vietnam, India) shows that the supermarket prices for fruits and vegetables and other basic foods were higher than those in traditional markets. Even if it is accepted that supermarkets are able to offer lower prices, the low-income households may face higher food prices because of reasons of distance from supermarkets, and higher prices charged by supermarkets in low-income areas. How will these super markets solve the problem of food security and security of livelihood of the peasants of our country the speakers asked?

Those who addressed the rally include Com Kartar Singh Bowani-Distrtict Secretary CPI, Com. Sukhwinder Sekhon-Secretary CPI(M), Dr Arun Mitra, Com O P Mehta – City Secretary, Com Jatinder Pal singh, Com Jagdish, Com Gulzar Gorea, Com Ramesh Ratan, Com. Vijay Kumar, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com  Gurnam Gill, Com.Mewa Singh Raikot, Com Raghbir Singh Venipal, Com Tersem JOdhan, Sukhminder Singh, Ragbir Singh, Dev Raj, Amarjit Mattu, Sudey Singh, Manjit Singh, Mahinder Parsad Dubey

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

From an International Security Assistance Force Joint Command  News Release KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 28, 2011 - A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured a Taliban leader and some suspected insurgents in the Marjah district of Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported. The insurgent leader was involved in narcotics trafficking and roadside-bomb attacks and other operations in the province, officials said. In other Afghanistan operations yesterday: -- A combined force detained two suspects during a search for a Taliban facilitator in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The facilitator distributes roadside bombs and directs attacks against Afghan forces. -- A combined force captured a Taliban leader and some suspects in the Dand district of Kandahar province. The leader distributed roadside bombs for use in attacks throughout the area. -- A combined force detained several suspects and seized 50 blasting caps, a bottle containing high-explosive material, a rocket-propelled-grenade container, a video camera, six videotapes, wiring and a hand-held radio in the Dilah district of Paktika province. �

Related Sites: NATO International Security Assistance Force

Marine Gives Back to Community

By Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew D. Johnston

2nd Marine Division

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C., Nov. 25, 2011 - An active duty Marine Corps noncommissioned officer was recognized for his outstanding service to the city of Jacksonville, N.C., during a Nov. 22 ceremony at the municipality's town hall..

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Stoy, assigned here to the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, received a standing ovation when he received the city's Outstanding Veterans Award.
Stoy, who earned three Purple Hearts from wounds he received in Iraq, serves as the sergeant-at-arms for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Beirut Memorial Chapter 642.

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel G. Stoy, a Hudson Falls, N.Y., native and infantry unit leader with 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., receives the Outstanding Veterans Award presented by the city of Jacksonville, N.C., at the municipality's town hall Nov. 22, 2011. Stoy was recognized for his outstanding work in the community. Courtesy photo

"Each of the different veteran chapters here in Jacksonville was allowed to put up one nominee for the award, which is basically for your service in the community," said Stoy, who hails from Hudson Falls, N.Y. "This the first time that The Military Order Of The Purple Heart has had an active duty member up for the award in two or three years.

"Basically [the award is for] all of the volunteer work I've done after the tornados hit," he added. "I had my whole [team] out there working with me."

Some tornados struck the Jacksonville area in late summer, Stoy said, destroying homes and leveling businesses. He gathered up a group of Marines to help out.

"If there is any time that we need help, Staff Sgt. Stoy always gets his troops for us," said Verl H. Matthews, senior vice commander of the local Purple Heart Chapter. "He asks for volunteers and he and his guys always come and help.

"These guys are some of the hardest workers," Matthews continued, "and I just got done signing about 20 appreciation letters this morning. He has just done so much for us and the community."

Stoy, a married father of three children, said he juggles his duties as a Marine, a community volunteer and husband. He said his wife makes it all work.

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without the support of my wonderful wife," Stoy said. "She has fully supported me in everything. She's here taking care of the home front while I'm out volunteering. It's that basic love and your basic husband and wife support -- she has been great."

Stoy said was very humbled to receive the award. He attributes his love for community service to his late father.

"It feels good to be honored like this because my father, who just passed in October, always used to tell us, 'What you give is what you get,' so it meant a lot to get it," Stoy said. "Between the balance of work and the balance of volunteering it was tough. But just being able to see the looks on people's faces, when you're out there helping just makes it all worth it in the end."

School to refund fee (property tax) to parents

Delhi Govt. told Delhi HC

23.11.2011

Coram: Hima Kohli J

Delhi Government Counsel today informed the Court that a show cause notice dated 8.11.2011 has been issued to the school management asking them to refund the fee charged from the parents on account of property tax. The Court directed the Delhi Government to take final decision within 2 weeks and based on the decision, action should be taken against the school. CAG has also been asked to file their reply to the writ petition. The case was adjourned to 29.02.2012.

On the last date of hearing i.e. 03.10.2011 the High Court had issued notices to the St. Lawrence Convent Public School, Delhi Government and CAG on the petition of the parents filed through Advocate Ashok Agarwal challenging the action of the school in arbitrarily increasing fees and other charges in the academic years 2010-11 & 2011-12 under various heads including that of property tax. “The school had subjected the hapless parents to pay Rs.429/- per student on account of property tax which was impermissible in law”, submitted Mr. Agarwal.

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

DISTRICT EAST, ANAND VIHAR, DELHI-110092

No.DE.47/D.D.E (E)/Pr. Branch/2011/1400                                        Dated: 08/11/11

SHOW CAUSE NOTICE

1.     Whereas, various complaints against St. Lawrence Convent Public School, Geeta Colony received sin the District made by President St. Lawrence Convent School Patents Welfare Association reg.severe fee hike by the school.

2.     Whereas, the school charged property tax from the parents due to the demand raised by MCD against the school. This is not in accordance with Govt. rules. The school accepted to withdraw the decision of charging property tax from next quarter of fee. The school should refund the property tax charges so far immediately in addition to aforesaid decision.

3.     Whereas, SMS charges are optional for parents. The school should clearly notify it to parents that these charges are optional and should not force it on parents.

4.     Whereas, the increase in the school fees in the year 2011-12 in about 30-50% which is not justified. The school fails to produce justification and minutes of meeting of SLMC in which it is approved in presence of Govt. Nominee. The enormous increase in the fee in not justified. The increase upto 10 to 15% may be allowed and rest of the fee hike should be withdrawn immediately.

5.     Whereas, the fee charged under head Physical Education charges, maintenance charges, are not justifies. The sale of school bags, school uniform, holding marriges and other commercial activities in the school affiliated to CBSE are not acceptable under DSEAR, 1973 & should stopped.

6.     The school should develop a system of redressal of grievances of parents and complaints as to uphold its image and noble cause of imparting education.

The manager/HOS of the school is therefore directed to submit explanation on the above mentioned deficiencies observed by the team members within 2 days, failing which action as deemed fit shall be taken against you under DSEAR Act, 1973.

(Neelam Verma)

Dy. Director of Education/RDE (East)

To

The Manager/HOS,

St. Lawrence Convent School,

Geeta Colony,

Delhi.

Aneurysm was like a time bomb

Another life saved by Dr.Bedi at CMC H

Ludhiana//November 19//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr HS Bedi with patient Tejinder Singh,the Heart Team and the special blood saving machine

An innovative invention along with timely and skilled vascular surgery has helped in saving the life of Tejinder Kumar - a vegetable seller of Fazilka. He sustained a fracture of his collar bone (clavicle) due to an accident. The bone bent inwards and damaged the subclavian artery (which supplies the hand) producing a swelling due to an aneurysm – a weakness of the artery. The swelling started to compress his air pipe (trachea) leading to difficulty in breathing. He was referred to Dr Harinder Singh Bedi– Head of Cardio Vascular Endovascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. On examination and further investigation it was found that the aneurysm was like a time bomb and could burst at any time with fatal consequences . He underwent a vascular surgery. On opening the swelling there was a massive leak of blood at high pressure. This was sucked into a special sterile machine which has been specially developed at the CMC & H using innovative measures. About 2.5 litres of precious blood which would have been wasted was transfused back into the patient. The aneurysm was reapired and Tejinder is now well.
The other members of the team are Dr Allen Joseph, Dr Arun Gupta, Dr Paul Sudhakar, Dr Udeyana Singh, Dr Saurabh, Dr Deepa Thomas. Dr Bedi said that the intricacies of the machine were handled by Mr Jairus Wilson and William P Sagar along with Mr Mathew. Mr Jairus and Mr William are the senior most perfusionists in Punjab.
Dr Abraham G Thomas – Director of CMC & H – said that it was the excellent team work plus the innovation of the heart team that had allowed a safe surgery in such a complicated case.

High Court notice to DU

M.A. (MUSIC) ADMISSION CRITERIA
New Delhi// November 19//
Delhi High Court (A.K.Sikri ACJ & Rajeev Sahai Endlaw J) on Friday has issued notices to Delhi University, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, Ramjas College and Shri Avinash Kumar Jha on the petition filed by Ms. Babita Rawat through Advocate Ashok Agarwal questioning the validity of the admission criteria for M.A. (Music) (Hindustani Vocal) which solely based on 100% performance at the Entrance Test.  “Rule 3 of the Rules, Regulations and Eligibility Conditions for admissions 2011-12 in M.A. (Music) (Hindustani) whereby the merit list is drawn solely on the basis of performance at the entrance test (practical) is arbitrary, discriminatory, unjust, illegal, unconstitutional, violative of Articles 14, 15 & 21 of the Constitution of India read with the provisions of Delhi University Act, 1922”, argued Mr. Agarwal.

The petitioner states that she has been denied admission in M.A.(Music) despite the fact that she secured 63% marks in aggregate in B.A.(Music) in the academic year 2011-12 while studying in Ramjas College. She also stated that Avinash Kumar Jha who was not eligible to be even registered for the course has not only been selected but also granted admission in M.A.(Music) in Ramjas College.

“Merit list is drawn solely on the basis of the performance in the entrance test (practical).No written test is taken at all.  Even no record of entrance test (practical) is prepared and maintained by the Selection Committee. The decisions to select candidates are solely at the whims and fancies of the members of the Committee. Such a criteria is open to discrimination, favoritism, arbitrariness and therefore, impermissible in law”, submitted Mr. Agarwal.

Next date of hearing is fixed for 27.01.2011.

for more detail Advocate Ashok Agarwal maybe contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Something to cheer about

‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick–they should beat strongly’
Ludhiana//16 November 2011// Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria//

Dr. Bedi during a camp (File photo: The Spis News)

In the current era where heart disease has touched epidemic proportions in India according to WHO there is something to cheer about. Just simple lifestyle changes and regular exercise can dramatically reduce the chances of suffering from a heart attack.    

At a recently concluded cardiac check up camp conducted by Dr Harinder Singh Bedi – Head of Cardio Vascular & Thoracic Surgery at the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana- some very positive findings have come up. At the camp a comprehensive cardiac checkup was performed on a cross section of the community of Samana and all surrounding areas. 400 patients were examined at the camp which was jointly organized with the Registered Medical Practitioners Association, Samana. All patients underwent a thorough examination by superspecialist doctors along with special blood tests. A unique feature was the addition of a dietary consultation and of supervised yoga therapy for all patients and attendants.  It was found that people who exercised regularly or performed yoga had their hearts in good shape, and had cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Dr Bedi was very encouraged with these findings for they suggest that a simple regimen of exercise, prudent diet, weight control and regular checkups could indeed keep the hearts of Punjabis in good shape. He stressed that the aim of preventive medicine was – ‘The hearts of Punjabis should not just tick – they should beat strongly’.

Interestingly similar reports have been found worldwide. Currently around one in five menopausal women die from heart disease. But according to new research by exercise scientists at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), this shocking statistic could be reversed if women took just 30 minutes to exercise, 5 days a week. Similarly a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that walking briskly for half an hour cut the risk of premature death in men and women by 44 percent.

There is some confusion about the type and intensity of exercise required. For cardiovascular fitness, you need to do a minimum of 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week, working hard enough that you break a sweat or are mildly out of breath. If you work out on a treadmill you should walk at a speed of at least four miles per hour on a level. If it’s on an incline, you can go a little more slowly.

Aim for a target heart rate during exercise.  Make monitoring your heart rate an integral part of your workout routine. It's a safer, more effective way to exercise, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.

Here's how to calculate your target heart rate range:

- Estimate your maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from 220.
- Determine your lower-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.6.

- Calculate your upper-limit exercise heart rate: multiply your maximum heart rate by 0.9.

For most people, working out at the lower end of the heart rate range for a longer time is better than exercising at the higher end for a shorter period.

Punjabis have a genetic predisposition to heart disease. You can’t do anything about your genes just yet—but you can lower that risk through lifestyle changes. Diet, yoga, exercise, regular physical checkups—all of these can help. Diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected and kept under control. It is time that we invested in our health and fitness now to ensure a real quality of life in later years – just as we plan a financial pension plan for our future. So, strap on your sneakers and start striding in the park.

A call to be alert against Diabetes

Understand the serious impact of diabetes
World Diabetes Day Celebrated
Ludhiana//14th November, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector kathuria

World Diabetes day is a call to all those who are responsible for Diabetes care and can contribute to control it. For a diabetic patient, this is a message for empowerment education so that he can follow proper ways whether diet food or exercises to improve his health. And for general public this is a call to be alert against Diabetes and understand the serious impact of diabetes.
Giving Information regarding the camp Dr.Marry John, HOD, Medicine department said that World Diabetes Day raises global awareness of diabetes - it’s escalating rates around the world and how to prevent the illness in most cases. Started by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and WHO, the Day is celebrated on 14 November to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, was instrumental in the discovery of insulin in 1922, a life-saving treatment for diabetes patients.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day on Monday 14th November, 2011 the department of Medicine at CMC & Hospital organized a free medical camp where around 300 patients were medically examined and given free blood sugar test to assess the risk of developing the disease. Patients were also offered free counselling by the specialists of diabetes and endocrinology department. A presentation on Diabetes education and self care was screened. Quiz competition for children with type 1 Diabetes was held. A diet display was also organized by the department. Patients also underwent free body mass & fat analysis test, blood sugar, diabetic foot.

Write about the violations of right to admission

MISSION SCHOOL ADMISSION 2012 HELPLINE

RTE Task Force taking initiative 

New Delhi//November 12, 2011//

RTE Task Force (Social Jurist Initiative) volunteers with Advocate Ashok Agarwal would be visiting Shastri Park Jhuggies (near ISBT, Kashmere Gate, Delhi) on Sunday 13 November 2011 from 8 am to 10 am to meet the parents and the students of the area from door to door. The sole aim of the visit is to share with them the right of admission of children including children with disabilities in government and recognized private schools (under 25% quota of free seats) arising out the provisions of the RTE Act, 2009. The students would be encouraged to write RTE PIL Postcard to the Delhi High Court Chief Justice about the violations of their right to education. Handbills containing Helpline Nos. 9868529459, 8826456565 would also be distributed among the people. Parents and students may take legal assistance totally free of costs through these Helplines between 10 am and 5 pm on all days except Sundays. Friends and well wishers who wish to volunteer themselves to the Cause may join us at 8 am sharp on 13 November 2011 at Shastri Park red light crossing. People can also join us at facebook. Ashok Agarwal, Advocate, advisor, Social Jurist may be also contacted at his mobile number-09811101923

Mahila Congress Pb to organize 4 state level rallies

Dr Malti Thapar directs all Mahila Congress units to be in party discipline

Chandigarh// November 10, 2011//Kalyani Singh

Mahila congress Punjab will organize four state level rallies at Ropar, Kapurthala, Dharamkot and Amritsar in the month of December which will be adrresed by Smt Anita Verma, President, All India Mahila Congress. This was stated by Dr Malti Thapar after chairing the first meeting of the mahila congress. Dr Thapar also announced the formation of state body within next fortnight with 2 senior vice presidents, 7 vice presidents, 7 general secretaries, 7 secretaries, 1 organizing secretary, 1 treasurer, 1 media advisor, 1 office secretary, 11 executive committee members and joint secretaries.  Three Zonal rallies to be addressed by Incharge Punjab affairs Dr. Anita Babbar at Hoshiarpur, Patiala and Gurdaspur.

Dr Thapar directed the mahila congress workers to ensure maximum participation of the mahila workers in the ongoing Punjab bachao rallies being organized by Pradesh congress. She also asked the mahila workers to work for the coming vidhan sabha elections and work with the senior party to ensure the victory.

Urinary Incontinence is embarrassing but treatable”

According to an UK Expert

Ludhiana// November 8, 2011//Shalu Arora and Rector Kathuria

Dr Meena Dass, MD, FRCOG, Consultant Uro-Gynecologist at the Barnsley NHS Hospital Trust, UK, who will be visiting the Department of Urology at CMCH on 12-19 November-2011, in a telephonic interview said that Urinary Incontinence in women is embarrassing but it is treatable. Urinary incontinence means that you can't always control when you urinate. As a result, you wet your clothes most of the time during the day and night. This is embarrassing, but it can always be cured. Urinary incontinence can be caused by many different medical problems, including weak pelvic muscles or diabetes, after repeated child births, obesity and as part of aging in the females. Stress urinary incontinence is a disturbing condition when urine leaks because of sudden pressure on your lower abdominal muscles, such as when you cough, laugh, lift something or exercise. Stress incontinence usually occurs when the pelvic muscles are weak, for example after childbirth or surgery. Stress incontinence is common in women. Surgery can be helpful. It is usually done if other treatment modalities haven't worked or if the incontinence is severe.

Dr Meena Dass described the new surgical technique of “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” and highlighted its advantage over various other surgical procedures for Stress Urinary Incontinence (SIU). Dr Kim Mammen, HOD of Urology, CMCH, emphasized that the TVT-O Technique and the use of similar slings, is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) who do not improve with medications. It improves the quality of life and makes the patients dry.

Dr Meena Dass along with Dr Kim Mammen and the Urology Team including Dr Francis Sridhar Katumalla, Dr George Mathew, Dr Shafiq Ahmed and Dr Amit Tuli will be available to treat patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence. We hope to see many patients coming into our hospital “wet” and going  home “dry”, said Dr Kim Mammen, Professor & Head, Department of Urology, CMCH. Dr Meena Dass will be available for consultation from 12-19 November-2011 at the Department of Urology with prior appointment. The contact telephone for prior appointment: 0161-5026999 Extension: 5026 [Urology Office].

 “I was unable to go for any social functions because I was always wet but, now after this surgical procedure, I am absolutely dry and I do not have to wear any pads. I do not smell of urine and I feel more confident of myself” said one of the patients who was recently operated at CMCH Urology Department. Dr Kim Mammen highlighted that the cost of this “Tension Free Vaginal Tape – Obturator Approach (TVT-O)” which is imported is available at a subsidized rate and for genuinely poor and need patients few of these Tapes can be made available free of cost through Philanthropists and charitable agencies.

Miracle in Ludhiana

Mohali woman becomes mother at the age of grandmother’ 
Ludhiana//November 3, 2011//Inderpreet Ahluwalia

Joy seems no bound for 68-year-old Hakim Singh since the day he heard the news of his 60-year-old wife Jaspal Kaur giving birth to a child, therefore, ending 40 yaers of barenness in their married life.
The sexagenarian couple gave birth to a baby boy at local Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) and was discharged today with both the mother and son in “pinks” of their health.

“You can not put this joy of becoming a mother at the age of grandmother merely in few lines or words”, said a visibly enthused Jaspal Kaur.  Hailing from Rampur village in Mohali and married for 40 years, the couple had been trying, without success, to have a child, until Kaur entered menopause. All those years , in the search for a child, the couple made several visits to temples, Gurdwaras, hospitals, and even babas but only met disappointment.

“Undaunted by all odds, we kept on trying and later a year back visited Dr Sumita in Ludhiana for the first time. The treatment followed for few months and nine month ago I was told my wife was pregnant”, said the proud father Hakim Singh.

The couple said they had been yearning for a child and never believed in selective gender. “We were missing the joy of being a  parent despite being happily married. We never prayed for a boy or a girl and had been only trying to invoke wahegurus blessings to get a child. Perhaps our prayers were true and carried no malice and He gave me a chance to become a mother when my fellow villagers are already a grandmother of two to three children”, said Jaspal Kaur.

Dr Sumita Sofat of Sofat infertility centre where the couple was treated during pre-pregnancy satge, said, Kaur conceived pregnancy with the use of a donor egg . “She became pregnant through in vitro fertilization process . Her medical examination and health check up indicated that she would be able to survive a high-risk pregnancy and finally she delivered a baby boy at DMCH via Caesarean section”, said Dr Sumita.

Punjab Bachao Yatra

Thousands of Mahila Congress workers gather at Moga
Mahila Congress Pb.to launch 24 hour help line 
A step taken for women of Punjab: Dr Malti Thapar 
Moga:November 2, 2011

Mahila Congress Punjab will shortly start a 24 hour helpline at Congress Bhawan Chandigarh for the women of Punjab who are harassed and tortured at the family or social or administrative or political level. Stating this as a historic step, Dr Malti Thapar, President, Mahila Congress Punjab said that Mahila congress will provide moral and legal support to such females who are deprived of their rights in any way. This 24 hour helpline number will be intimated to the general public through media. Dr Thapar announced this today at Moga, while she was speaking at the rally held on the second day of Punjab Bachao yatra.

Dr Thapar said that number of cases of atrocities on the women have increased manifold during the last four and half years of this Akali Dal Badal and BJP rule. The crime rate in Punjab has gone up leaving behind Bihar also. Women in the state are feeling insecure and unsafe in the goondaraj of Akali Dal Badal. Everyday the silent protesting teachers or the Aangan vaadi workers are picked up by the Punjab police on the directions of S Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is the home minister also, and beaten mercilessly in front of everybody. 

Dr Thapar questioned S Harsimrat kaur Badal, MP that What is the use of just grabbing cheap publicity by holding daughter of poor people and branding it as “Nanhi Chaan”? Can the present regime give any authenticated data on the female foeticide in the state during the last four years?Dr Thapar assured the president PPCC, Capt Amarinder Singh that Mahila Congress will be his right hand in the coming vidhan sabha elections and will fight with the Pradesh Congress to throw this government out of power. Dr Thapar requested Capt Singh that while drafting the manifesto special attention should be given to the issues relating to the women of Punjab.

Dr Thapar pointed to S Parkash Singh Badal, Chief Minister of Punjab that by making cancer specialization hospitals in Malwa belt won’t serve the purpose of common man, come to Dharamkot and see where Punjab is going? For the last 15 years Akali Dal has ruled in this constituency but S Parkash Singh Badal should see the plight of the people there. There is no school, college, hospital, roads or transport. People are living in pitiable conditions without even safe drinking water and electricity. Old age pensions and shagun schemes are also not being distributed by the government. Even the money to be given in the MNREGA is not being paid to the workers.

Vasan Eye Care enters Ludhiana

World’s Largest Chain of Eye Care Hospitals

Ludhiana, 31st October, 2011:The Chennai based Vasan Eye Care group promoted by Dr A.M. Arun, which is world’s  largest  network of eye care hospitals, is opening up another Superspeciality eye hospital in Ludhiana . The group  has plans to open 5  more hospitals in Punjab including Chandigarh, in the first phase. This was stated today by Mr. S. Sudheer, Director Operations , on the  Pooja ceremony organized at  Ludhiana site to mark the opening of the Hospital.
According to Dr A M Arun, Chairman, Vasan Eye Care,  this is the first step in a series of launches that will make Vasan Eye Care’s services available to every person in the region. Ludhiana being a hub of intense industrial activities, we hope our affordable eye care solutions will benefit the society. We plan to expand our service to the rest of the regions of North India, bring the Vasan Eye Care brand to a 125 hospitals strong enterprise,” He also said that the group has massive expansion plans across Punjab, in both urban and rural areas so as to enable different sections of society to get world class eye care at their neighborhood. Hospital projects in  Jalandhar and Amritsar are also on the verge of completion and the operations will start soon.

Mr. Sudheer, informed that the new  hospital at Ludhiana is spread across 18200 sqft space and is strategically located on Ferozpur road opposite Punjab Agricultural University Gate No-1 . It will be  a super specialty hub with cutting edge technology and super specialist doctors. The hospital will have 7 super specialty ophthalmologists and host all the technology for eye care. The centre will have 5 state of the art Operation Theatres, diagnostic stations, optical outlet, various clinics and Pharmacy, etc. The hospital will have services spanning across 38 eye care specialties and include treatments for Cataract (MICS), advanced treatments for Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Lasik Laser Treatment for freedom from glasses and contact lens, Computer Vision Syndrome Clinic, Cosmetic Clinic, and much more. There will be exclusive departments for Diabetic Eye Care, Pediatric Eye Care.